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New Pet Dog Registration System rules
Pet Dog Registration System to be fully implemented in 2013:
Starting in 2013, a new pet dog registration system will be implemented under which pet dogs will be given identification numbers and pet owners will have to register their dogs and buy ID chips or tags for them for 10,000 won ~ 20,000 won. Among other advantages, this system will enable pet owners to find lost dogs more easily.
According to an announcement by the municipal government, pet dogs more than three months old must be registered starting from January 2013, as stipulated under the revised Animal Protection Act (Aug. 4, 2011). The law aims to enhance pet owners’ responsibility while facilitating the recovery of lost pets. A similar system of pet dog registration has been implemented in a number of countries overseas including the U.S., Japan, Australia and Taiwan.
Currently, more than 16,000 dogs get lost each year in Seoul. Owners suffer mental distress while the administration has to spend an increasing amount of money trying to recover them.
Pets can be registered at animal clinics designated by district offices. (See the district office websites for the list of the hospitals.)
Owners must visit the clinics with their pets, fill out an application form and buy one of the three ID chips/tags available.
Each pet dog must have one of the following: an embedded electronic chip, an electronic tag, or an ordinary dog tag, at a price of 20,000 won, 15,000 won and 10,000 won, respectively.
Guide dogs or adopted stray dogs may be registered free. A 50% deduction is offered for dogs with embedded electronic chips, dogs owned by people on the minimum wage or income, or neutered dogs.
Failure to register a pet dog will incur a penalty of up to 1 million won under the Animal Protection Act. However, the first half of 2013 will be an amnesty period during which the penalty will not be charged. For further details, please contact the Animal Protection Division of Seoul City Administration at+82-2-2133-7656.
- "Infinitely yours, Seoul", 2012-12-24
- Updated Jan 14, 2013
- 5287 Views
Comments
marlajoy
Mar 26, 2013 07:10
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Here is just one article of many that you can find talking about the dangers of embedded microchips in animals. It's worth considering. http://www.antichips.com/press-releases/chipped-pets.html Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting it's a bad idea to have identification, it just may be safer to have it on a collar or harness rather than embedded.
Sofia
Mar 26, 2013 09:25
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Yes, I know... But we often have no choice, if only we aren't planning to leave our pets behind when we move/travel.
A-and Korean official statistic say that 96% of these unchipped animals will be dead within a several days:
http://www.animal.go.kr/portal_rnl/abandonment/public_list.jsp.
marlajoy
Mar 26, 2013 09:28
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I'm confused. Why would an animal be killed if they have identification on their collar?
Sofia
Mar 26, 2013 09:31
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They woudn't. I meant to say that those animals have nor an I.D. tag nor a microchip.
If at least half of them would be microchipped, it would save them.
marlajoy
Mar 26, 2013 09:40
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Sure. In the case of strays with no forever home, embedded microchips might be the way to go. I just want other people out there, like me, to have the information. I love my animals dearly and would never ever abandon them. If they are lost, I want them to have identification on them at all times. However, if that identification could cause them cancer, pain and suffering down the road, I certainly would want to know and I would want to use an alternative.